Flight Works Alabama – Airbus

Airbus North America and Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) chose IDEAS for a vital project.

We were to conceive and develop a visionary STEM learning and aviation brand immersion center for the Airbus Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Mobile, Alabama. 

Flight Works Alabama’s mission is to advance Alabama’s economic stability and growth by igniting a passion for the sciences and technical trades. 

The result is an increase in STEM-related career interests for Alabama students and all visitors — especially in commercial aviation manufacturing.

IDEAS Swoops In

At IDEAS, our charge was broad:

• Imagine and brand the visitor experience
• Develop the brand identity
• Curate a diverse collection of aviation manufacturers’ contributions
• Design the facility’s Discovery Space 

The Discovery Space is an immersive exhibition hall, with engaging displays and exhibits that play a range of roles:

• Teaching the physics of flight
• Illustrating the process of designing and building a commercial aircraft
• Showcasing the many career opportunities available at the Airbus FAL next door at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley

We delivered a wide range of innovative exhibits, attractions and interactive experiences. These included a holographic host who introduces visitors to the many careers at the Airbus FAL. 

Meanwhile, visitors can participate in myriad activities:

• “Fly” a fly-by-wire aircraft simulator
• Pilot an Airbus A320 aircraft in a digital flight simulator
• Explore a real A320 cockpit
• Experiment with electrical systems
• Handle unusual aircraft parts 
• Test their ability to paint their own custom livery on the tail of a jet
• Compete with their friends to see who can keep the supply chain running smoothly as finished aircraft roll out of the FAL 

Flight Works Alabama’s brand immersion and STEM learning center also hosts on-site lab activities like 3D printing and robotics. Both the local and aviation communities have thoroughly embraced these activities.

IDEAS brought deep industry knowledge in workforce systems, economic development, branding and destination experience design. 

We paired that knowledge with training, K-12 and CTE education to make Flight Works Alabama an exemplar of purposeful engagement.